Z for Zachariah

The main character in the novel is Ann Burden, from Burden Valley, in the United States of America. A nuclear war has left Ann all alone, as her parents, brother and cousin have been killed by the disaster: “When I look beyond I see that all the trees are dead, and there is never a sign of anything moving. I don’t go out there.” The valley however has been untouched by the devastation. Ann is entrapped, as everything beyond the circumference of Burden is unproductive of life. She leads a simple life-style. Cleverly using nature to survive. She shuts herself off from the past, and looks forward to the future: “I am hoping to be an English teacher.” I believe that Ann is a very optimistic person who never gives up on hope, as she is continually persistent on “her” idea of hope. In the very last paragraph of the novel, her final words were, “I am hopeful.” This shows us th

Eventually her dreams are shattered when it gradually becomes evident to Ann that Loomis had killed a man named Edward, who stole a radiation suit as he insisted that his family was still alive and wanted to go find them. This is all revealed in his haunted dreams and she realises that they are no nightmares but in fact actual flashbacks of something that really happened. From this point on Ann grows more and more suspicious of him. The man she knows as Mr.Loomis is recovering. Despite her loving care for him, he shows an ever-changing attitude towards her. He becomes insensitive and arrogant, and he regards everything in the valley, including her, as his. Ann is disturbed by this knowledge, but prays desperately that he will not die.

I certainly would recommend this novel to be read by teenagers and upwards.

It is my assessment that sympathies are felt for Ann; when we see their relationship gradually deteriorate. In chapter sixteen, for instance Loomis hints to Ann that he has intentions of having sex with her: “The important thing is not to let the species die out.” My belief is that he has no thoughts for her feelings at all. Ann becomes deeply upset when Loomis makes a “pass” at her, she does not know not how to cope in this situation that she finds herself in. Being young, inexperienced and innocent compared to Loomis who is very tactless and lacking with moral decency, this causes Ann to flee from her house to the surrounding hills in the valley, as it horrifies her to think that she will become his slave.

Ann finds Loomis “quite nice” and “ almost handsome.” To find pleasure and purpose in life is at the forefront of her thoughts, her idea of surviving is by sharing and co-operating, as she believes that they have everything in the valley to be content. Loomis appreciates Ann’s dedication, and tries to make helpful suggestions about the farming. He displays a tender delight of simple pleasures especially after Ann plays the piano for him: “This is the best eve

Some topics in this essay:
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